62 saved in Bay of Islands ferry grounding

"One motor is gone, I need help immediately." Those were the words a Fullers ferry skipper spoke in the frightening moments before his catamaran ran aground at Cape Brett yesterday.

The 59 shaken passengers and three crew were rescued in high seas after the stricken vessel smashed into rocks.

Although there were only minor injuries, passengers - who had to be ferried by rescue helicopter to Paihia - were left shaken with one suffering from chest pains. Last night passengers spoke of the frightening few moments before the ferry ran aground after engine failure disabled the boat.

Many children aboard the boat were crying. Said eight-year-old Rosie Burgering: "Everyone had to put life jackets on. I started shaking all of a sudden. I had to be carried over to the rocks because I'm only a kid. I was very, very scared."

The Fullers Tiger 3 ferry hit trouble about 3pm yesterday as it was about to pass through the Hole in the Rock below the Cape Brett lighthouse about 15 nautical miles from Paihia.

Passengers were told to put on life jackets and sent to a lower deck.

American tourists Kathy Schibi and Elizabeth Cannon were among those waiting as the skipper struggled with one engine.

"We were extremely nervous and praying we would make it to safety. We were shaken, wondering if we were going to get out in time," said Ms Schibi.

Passing through the narrow tunnel with engine failure, the boat risked getting stuck so the skipper was forced to run the boat aground against the side of the cliff face.

A female crew member leapt for the rocks, securing the ferry so passengers could jump to safety. High seas posed a new danger, threatening those trying to climb the cliff.

"We had to be very careful. The water was crashing up and could have swept us off," said Ms Schibi.

The ferry suffered extensive damage and a slick of fuel was seeping. Several vessels from the Bay of Islands, including coastguard and Fullers boats, were alerted and arrived shortly before 5.30pm.

The passengers were ferried to Paihia Primary School by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Auckland, the Northland Emergency Service Trust helicopter, and two other commercial aircraft.

There they were checked by ambulance staff and given hot drinks and blankets to ward off the cold. Two investigations were launched last night into the cause of the accident.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY